The South is bracing for a major winter storm, most of the nation remains gripped by extreme cold, and high winds could fan flames in California.

The snow storm could hit over a dozen states through Wednesday, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

There were 18,000 Florida homes without power as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Governor’s Office. Some 20,000 have already been restored after losing power across the state during the storm. “Extreme Cold Warnings” remain in effect for most of the Panhandle through Thursday morning.

Several school districts in Acadiana that had announced they would close Tuesday and Wednesday in anticipation of the winter blast are now extending the closure to Thursday.